Jumpmaster Class

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 12:59 PM.

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More than 35 Soldiers from the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) became Jump-master qualified during a certified training course held in the Group’s compound on Eglin Air Force Base on Dec. 8.

The course, which lasted over three weeks, trained and certified the Soldiers to con-duct duties of a Jumpmaster, on ground and in an aircraft.

“On Nov. 13, 2012, we tested 87 with a RIGEX and nomenclature test. Of that 87, we were able to start with 50 students and graduated 39,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Miguel Pagani, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Group’s motor officer, Jumpmas-ter and Master Parachutist overseeing the course. “The RIGEX consisted of properly rigging the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) pack utilizing the Harness Single Point Release and Hook and Pile Lowering Line and pre-paring the M-1950 Weapons Case for donning, Soldiers had 15 minutes to complete this task to standard.”

“This course is very physically, mentally and academically demanding with a 70% passing rate or less. Once you become a Jumpmaster you just not only earn a badge that distinguishes you from a regular paratrooper,” said Master Sgt. Walter A. Koski. “You also earn and assume the responsibility of all Soldiers in the aircraft. Your job is to safely deliver Soldiers to the DZ and without causing any damages to the equipment.”

It may seem as a simple task to some, but in order to become a Jumpmaster, knowl-edge must be tested, to ensure only those qualified attend and are able to successfully complete the course.

“A Nomenclature test consisted of 50 questions in which the prospective student had to correctly identify in writing the name of a component, sub-component, assembly or sub-assembly of the T-11 harness, T-11 reserve, M-1950 Weapons Case, Hook and Pile Tape Lowering Line, Harness Single Point Release and Advanced Combat Helmet,” said Pagani.

There were a total of 15 instructors from the 7th SFG (A), chosen from different companies throughout the Group. The Soldiers travelled to Fort Benning, Ga., to attend a three day validation course in order to teach the course.

“Being a jumpmaster separates you for just being a regular paratrooper,” said Koski.

The instructors needed to be qualified and current MC-6 Jumpmasters and attend the Train to Trainer course at Fort Benning.

In order to certify the students that attended the course, the Jumpmaster branch from Fort Benning sent an inspector to conduct a spot review of the tests, student packets and training schedule.

“This was the first Jumpmaster Course Group ran since moving to Eglin Air Force Base. It had an above average graduation rate due to the extra hours focused on Jump-master Personnel Inspection (JMPI). The Program of Instruction (POI) requires 46 hours including testing time,” said Pagani. We scheduled 51.5 hours of hands on prior to testing, with another 12 hours of study hall during Thanksgiving weekend, take all this time and a student could have had up to 63.5 hours of hands on.”

“The POI requires the student to put one jumper out of the aircraft. Each student conducted at least two Jumpmaster duties and several also gained experiences as safeties inside the aircraft, always under the eye of an instructor,” said Pagani.

“During the Practical Work in the Aircraft (PWAC) portion, we performed over 300 jumps with zero injuries, during PWAC we also conducted a lot of reinforcement train-ing by having the students JMPI strap hangers and then another Jumpmaster con-ducted JMPI procedures on that individual again,” said Pagani. “The students gained more confidence in their abilities as they found rigging deficiencies and were able to bring it to the attention of the Primary Jumpmaster and Airborne Commander.”

“There is no doubt that this course was physically and mentally more challenging than most Jumpmaster Courses, but the high success rate makes me 100% confident in these new Jumpmasters,” said Pagani.

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More than 35 Soldiers from the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) became Jump-master qualified during a certified training course held in the Group’s compound on Eglin Air Force Base on Dec. 8.

The course, which lasted over three weeks, trained and certified the Soldiers to con-duct duties of a Jumpmaster, on ground and in an aircraft.

“On Nov. 13, 2012, we tested 87 with a RIGEX and nomenclature test. Of that 87, we were able to start with 50 students and graduated 39,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Miguel Pagani, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Group’s motor officer, Jumpmas-ter and Master Parachutist overseeing the course. “The RIGEX consisted of properly rigging the All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) pack utilizing the Harness Single Point Release and Hook and Pile Lowering Line and pre-paring the M-1950 Weapons Case for donning, Soldiers had 15 minutes to complete this task to standard.”

“This course is very physically, mentally and academically demanding with a 70% passing rate or less. Once you become a Jumpmaster you just not only earn a badge that distinguishes you from a regular paratrooper,” said Master Sgt. Walter A. Koski. “You also earn and assume the responsibility of all Soldiers in the aircraft. Your job is to safely deliver Soldiers to the DZ and without causing any damages to the equipment.”

It may seem as a simple task to some, but in order to become a Jumpmaster, knowl-edge must be tested, to ensure only those qualified attend and are able to successfully complete the course.

“A Nomenclature test consisted of 50 questions in which the prospective student had to correctly identify in writing the name of a component, sub-component, assembly or sub-assembly of the T-11 harness, T-11 reserve, M-1950 Weapons Case, Hook and Pile Tape Lowering Line, Harness Single Point Release and Advanced Combat Helmet,” said Pagani.

There were a total of 15 instructors from the 7th SFG (A), chosen from different companies throughout the Group. The Soldiers travelled to Fort Benning, Ga., to attend a three day validation course in order to teach the course.

“Being a jumpmaster separates you for just being a regular paratrooper,” said Koski.

The instructors needed to be qualified and current MC-6 Jumpmasters and attend the Train to Trainer course at Fort Benning.

In order to certify the students that attended the course, the Jumpmaster branch from Fort Benning sent an inspector to conduct a spot review of the tests, student packets and training schedule.

“This was the first Jumpmaster Course Group ran since moving to Eglin Air Force Base. It had an above average graduation rate due to the extra hours focused on Jump-master Personnel Inspection (JMPI). The Program of Instruction (POI) requires 46 hours including testing time,” said Pagani. We scheduled 51.5 hours of hands on prior to testing, with another 12 hours of study hall during Thanksgiving weekend, take all this time and a student could have had up to 63.5 hours of hands on.”

“The POI requires the student to put one jumper out of the aircraft. Each student conducted at least two Jumpmaster duties and several also gained experiences as safeties inside the aircraft, always under the eye of an instructor,” said Pagani.

“During the Practical Work in the Aircraft (PWAC) portion, we performed over 300 jumps with zero injuries, during PWAC we also conducted a lot of reinforcement train-ing by having the students JMPI strap hangers and then another Jumpmaster con-ducted JMPI procedures on that individual again,” said Pagani. “The students gained more confidence in their abilities as they found rigging deficiencies and were able to bring it to the attention of the Primary Jumpmaster and Airborne Commander.”

“There is no doubt that this course was physically and mentally more challenging than most Jumpmaster Courses, but the high success rate makes me 100% confident in these new Jumpmasters,” said Pagani.